WILLARD WHITE
March 30, 2020
Willard White, 80, Clinton, passed away Monday, March 30, 2020, at his home.
He was a long-time member of Batley Baptist Church.
He retired from Y-12 Nuclear Facility in 1999 after 32 years.
He was preceded in death by: Parents, Amos and Eva Lee White; brother, Steve White; niece, Shelley Rhea; nephew, Terry Long; and special cousin, A.C. White.
Willard is survived by: Wife of 55 years, Sue Worthington White; daughter and son-in-law, Carole and Greg Cooper; granddaughter, Taylor Viglasky and fiance Kaleb Rife; grandchildren, Brittainy and Eric Barger, Alex Cooper and Ryan Wood; grandson, Brandon Cooper; great-grandson, Zaylen Barger; and great-granddaughter, Emreigh Barger.
He is also survived by: Sister and special brother-in-law, Shelby and Rusty Kelley; sisters, Lola Parks, Helen White, Edna White; and sister-In-law, Irene White; niece, Angie and Charles Relford; and nephew, Tim and Donna Long; as well as several other nieces, nephews and family members.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be sent in his name to Alzheimer’s Tennessee, 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 or ahzTennessee.org.
Weatherford Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
An online guest book can be signed at weatherfordmortuary.com.
PATSY GUENTHER
March 30, 2020
Patsy Guenther passed away in her home March 30, 2020.
Born and raised in Clinton, she was the daughter of Hobart Jane Hoskins Burress and Hobart E. Burress. Her parents; her sister, Iva Deane Burress Harber; and her brothers, Esco and Louis Burress, preceded her in death. She was 85 years old.
After graduating from Clinton High School and working for The Clinton Courier, Patsy earned her bachelor's degree at Carson-Newman College. She moved to Nashville in 1957 to accept a position as assistant editor of Open Windows and later served as editor of Church Library Magazine, both are publications of The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (now LifeWay Christian Resources). After completing her master's degree work in English at George Peabody College for Teachers (now Peabody College of Vanderbilt University), Patsy taught English at Peabody College while completing work for her specialist in education degree. She also was an English professor at Columbia State Community College for four years and ended her professional career as the Tennessee director of federal elementary and secondary innovative education programs. She retired from the Tennessee Department of Education in 1977.
Patsy is survived by: Husband, James P. Guenther; sons, Stephen Guenther, and Jeff and Valerie Guenther and Jeff's children, Matthew and Erin Guenther.
She also will be missed by a host of caring friends. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Nashville.
An online guestbook is available at AustinFuneralService.com (615) 377-0775
MARK SILLERS GRIM JR.
March 29, 2020
Mr. Mark Sillers Grim Jr., 98, North Wilkesboro, N.C. (formerly of Norris), passed away Sunday, March 29, 2020.
He was born July 17, 1921, in Sevier County to Mark Sillers Grim Sr. and Laura Elizabeth Hardin Grim. Mark graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and went on to work as a chemical engineer/project manager with Union Carbide in Oak Ridge. Mark was also a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II and a long-time member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Norris.
Other than Mark’s parents, he was preceded in death by: Wife, Anastacia Zbornik Grim; brother, John W. Grim and wife Eva; and brother-in-law, Joseph T. Thomas.
Mark is survived by: Two daughters, Mary Anne Koeppel and husband Scott of Tallahassee, FLla., and Margaret McMahan and husband Dr. Thomas McMahan of North Wilkesboro, N.C.; grandchildren, Daniel S. Koeppel, Laura K. Tagle, Emily M. Kregor, and Matthew T. McMahan; 11 great-grandchildren; and sister, Wanda G. Thomas of Norris.
A private burial will be held at Norris Memorial Gardens at a later date. A Celebration of Mark’s life will be held later this summer at a date yet to be determined.
It is requested that any memorial contributions be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. www.holleygamble.com
JANICE PATTERSON SEIVERS COOPER
March 28, 2020
Janice Patterson Seivers Cooper, born Jan. 24, 1930, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2020, at The Waters of Clinton in Clinton.
Her favorite pastime was reading a good book, tending to her rose bushes and baking delicious desserts. Janice was always a faithful member of her church, both with attendance and doing good deeds for others.
Janice was preceded in death by: Parents, Parker and Ella Patterson; husband, James L Cooper; brothers, Lawrence and Ralph Patterson; sisters, Brenda McKamey and Otella Cliff; and grandsons, Chadwick and Tyler Seivers.
Janice is survived by: Sons, David Ray Seivers, Jeffrey Seivers and wife Rose; daughter, Bernice Cox and husband Gary; sister, Virginia Sue Mayes; grandchildren, Kristi and Amanda Seivers, David Cox and David Ott; great-grandchildren, Lelah and Paul Ott.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at The Waters of Clinton for the care they had given to Janice, also special thanks to Sharon Price for her time and love she always shown to Janice and her help to the family.
Flowers are welcome but also donations can be made to the Knoxville Rescue Mission.
Friends may call at their convenience between 3 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, in the chapel of Jones Mortuary in Clinton.
Janice’s interment will be private on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens in Claxton.
Jones Mortuary in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences can be made to the family at www.jonesmortuaryllc.com
EDWARD LADELL SHARP
March 28, 2020
Edward Ladell Sharp, 96, Clinton, passed away peacefully at his home on March 28, 2020.
He was a member of Blowing Springs Baptist Church. He was born Jan. 9, 1924 in Highsplint, Ky., to Dester and Mossie Cox Sharp. The family later moved to Tennessee.
In the early years of the Oak Ridge Manhattan Project, Edward worked for sub-contractors Stone & Webster and Roane Anderson. He was among the many firemen who helped rescue soldiers from the 1944 Jellico Troop train derailment. He retired in 1988 from Vinylex Corporation in Knoxville.
Edward was an avid fisherman and was a long-time member of Anderson County Bass Club where he made many special friends. He enjoyed tournament fishing but also just simple quiet days spent fishing on area lakes. He liked spending time with his family, watching old western movies, and gardening.
In addition to his parents, Edward was preceded in death by: Wife, Wanda Jean Hill Sharp; sisters, Mary Sue Jenkins and Reba Monday; and brother, Joe Sharp.
He is survived by: Son, Ron Sharp and companion Karen King of Sevierville; daughters, Janet Symons (Buddy) of Heiskell, Sharon Lowe (Eddie) of Knoxville, and Judy Henderson (Brant) of Clinton; brother, Jim Sharp of Centerville, Ohio; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; special nephews, Don Henderson and Donnie Knight.
He also leaves behind his dear close friend and long-time fishing partner, Dave Fulton.
The family would like to thank the kind and compassionate care givers of Amedisys Hospice.
Friends may call at their convenience from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2020, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton.
A private graveside service will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens with the Reverend Jimmy Davidson officiating.
www.holleygamble.com
ARCHER CLIFTON 'CLIFF' STEPHENS
March 27, 2020
Archer Clifton “Cliff” Stephens, 98, passed away peacefully at his home in Norris March 27, 2020.
Cliff was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, coach, and friend. He was born on the Cumberland Plateau, March 20, 1922, in Clifty to parents Grover and Addie (Winningham) Stephens. The family soon moved to Cravenstown, where they lived until the coal mines in that area closed in 1932. Cliff always considered himself a “Depression-era Democrat,“ as it was the creation of Tennessee Valley Authority and the building of Norris Dam, which provided his father a job and led to the family moving to Norris in March of 1934. He graduated from Norris High School, playing on the very first NHS basketball team as a senior, coached by Ben Martin. Immediately following his graduation in 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served until the end of World War II. Upon his return to Norris, Cliff entered the University of Tennessee, where he was a walk-on football player. He continued playing football and basketball at Milligan College before returning to graduate from UT. He was a Physical Education teacher and basketball coach at Norris High School from 1948-1952. He kept in touch with many of his former students and players, always interested in their lives and accomplishments. In 1952 he moved his family to Clearwater, Fla., where he opened Stephens Shell Service Station on the corner of Gulf to Bay Boulevard and Skyview Avenue. He became a district sales representative for Shell Oil Company and later founded Clearwater Fuel Oil Company. Upon his retirement in 1989, he and Gene moved “home” to Norris to be near their family.
Patriotism and public service were the hallmarks of Cliff’s life. He was always grateful for the opportunities he had been given and worked to make life better for others. He was the first elected Norris representative to the Anderson County Court. During his time on the County Court, negotiations were begun with TVA and Anderson County resulting in the eventual creation of Anderson County Park, as well as the building of a new gym for Norris High School. He taught many Norris area children to swim at a floating crib he built below the Tea Room on Norris Lake.
While living in Clearwater, Cliff served on Sheriff Don Genung’s Civil Service Board, was elected to the Clearwater City Commission, served on the Pinellas County Commission, and was a lifetime member of Sertoma Club International. He was appointed by Governor Reuben Askew to serve on the board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District which manages Florida’s water resources. He coached PAL football and was a supporter of The Florida Sheriff’s Boys Ranch. In honor of his public service to Clearwater, a city park bears his name. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Clearwater where he served as a high school Sunday school teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, and Chairman of the Executive Board.
Upon moving back to Norris, Cliff served on the Norris Water Commission, the Friends of the Library Board, and taught tennis as part of the Summer Enrichment Program. Cliff and friends worked to replace the original gazebo on Observation Point and created the Norris High School Alumni Scholarship Fund. He especially enjoyed volunteering at the Museum of Appalachia. He was a member of the Norris Religious Fellowship, serving on various committees. Cliff cherished his many friends and always tried to be a friend in return. He was a true “Volunteer,” an encourager, and a mentor. His greatest joy was in his family and the wonderful memories of times together. His great-grandchildren were a source of love and light in his last years,
Cliff was preceded in death by: Beloved wife of 65 years, Gene Lambdin Stephens; infant great-grandson and namesake, Mason Archer Weaver; parents, Grover and Addie Stephens; brothers and sister, Kenneth, Quincey, and Lorene Stephens.
He is survived by his devoted family: Daughter, Amanda (Ron) Weaver; granddaughter, Whitney (Alex) North; grandson, Ben (Brittanie) Weaver; great-grandchildren, Ike and Brynn North, and Mollie and Manning Weaver; brother-in-law, Bill Lambdin of Clearwater; several nieces and nephews; and dear friend, Hope Leab and her family.
The family extends love and gratitude to his compassionate caregivers Alysia, Dixie, Kathy, Theresa and Chandra, as well as the office staff of Visiting Angels and to all of the staff of Covenant Hospice especially his nurses, Angie and Christie.
In honor of Cliff’s life please enjoy a walk in our beautiful surroundings, find an opportunity to contribute to your community or help a neighbor.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to MAWS Cause 124 Deer Trail Lane, Lake City, TN 37769 or the Norris High School Alumni Scholarship Fund 3204 Hinds Creek Road Heiskell, TN 37754
Friends may call at their convenience at the Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 31.
A private graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at Norris Memorial Gardens, conducted by Jim Hayes and Reverend David Seiber.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. www.holleygamble.com
SHIRLEY ANN WHITIS
March 25, 2020
Shirley Ann Whitis, 79, Clinton, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at her home.
She loved all of her family. Shirley enjoyed listening to the 1960’s and 1970’s music, and being outdoors.
Shirley was preceded in death by: Parents, James and Dora Rector; and sisters, Glenda Corey, Betty Wilder, Hazel Fulton and Marie Rector.
Shirley is survived by: Husband of 59 years, Cortell Whitis of Clinton; son, James Whitis and girlfriend Lee Ann of Clinton; sisters, Thelma Davison of Cincinnati, Ohio, Joyce Leathers of Middlesboro; and a host of nieces, nephews and other family and friends.
A memorial service for Shirley will be scheduled at a later date.
Jones Mortuary in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences can be made to the family at www.jonesmortuaryllc.com
BARBARA JUNE SEIBER
March 25, 2020
Barbara June Seiber, 80, Clinton, formerly of Lake City, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at home on Laurel Road.
She was born June 1, 1939, to the late Elmer Otto and Artie Snow Seiber in Briceville. She was a securities auditor for the Department of Energy for 50 years having worked at plants in Portsmouth, Ohio, and Oak Ridge. She was a highly intelligent person who also had great compassion, especially for children. She also cared for both of her parents until their passing. She was a member of Clinch River Baptist Church where she was involved with mission work. She will be dearly missed.
She is survived by: Special caregivers, Shawvon Milen and family, and Tammy Sharp and husband Derek; uncle, Kenneth Seiber; and childhood friend, Rose Etta Cox.
Due to CDC recommendations, all services will be private. Burial will be at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Rocky Top is in charge of all arrangements. www.holleygamble.com
